Canada's Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson and Italy's Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin met today on the margins of the International Energy Agency's Global Conference on Energy Efficiency to hold the second iteration of the Canada-Italy Ministerial Energy Dialogue. They underscored the importance of continued engagement following the inaugural meeting convened in October 2025 at the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers' Meeting. The Ministers reviewed progress and reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration and tangible outcomes.
Priority Areas of Cooperation
Ministers directed officials to advance work in key strategic areas of mutual interest, including:
- Critical minerals value chains
- Nuclear energy cooperation
- Liquefied natural gas
- Energy security
Critical minerals cooperation:
Recognizing the essential role that critical minerals play in energy security, clean technology and defence, Canada and Italy are committed to enhancing cooperation on critical minerals and critical raw materials, in line with the Joint Statement on Critical Minerals and Critical Raw Materials. In particular, they tasked their respective critical minerals envoys with developing joint approaches to stockpiling by the end of 2026.
Nuclear cooperation:
Recognizing the role of nuclear energy as baseload power and in achieving net-zero goals, Canada and Italy committed to continue exploring opportunities for scientific, regulatory, fusion research, and industrial collaboration, leveraging both countries' sectorial activities and expertise.
Cooperation on other energy sectors:
Their discussion also targeted opportunities for closer collaboration in LNG, sustainable fuels, and renewable energy.
Technical Discussion Process:
The Ministers also formalized the launch of technical discussion between officials at Natural Resources Canada and Italy's Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. This discussion forum will further identify concrete actions to advance collaboration between Canada and Italy on these key energy issues.
Canada and Italy remain committed to strengthening their energy partnership in support of energy security, economic resilience, and shared strategic objectives.
